Boletín de aludes

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

Thu
Alta montaña
3 · Notable
Límite del bosque
3 · Notable
Bajo el límite
3 · Notable
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó last year. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

The avalanche danger will rise as the day warms and unstable conditions develop on steep slopes that face the sun. Natural and human triggered wet snow avalanches will become likely later in the day. Some avalanches could become large enough to bury or injure a person. Avoid traveling on or under very steep and sunny terrain as the day heats up. Wind slabs up to two feet deep are still lingering in some very steep upper-elevation terrain and will become more sensitive as they warm up. Exit the mountains or move to lower-angle slopes if you encounter wet snow.

Several bear sightings have been reported this spring. When planning for the day, bear spray, group travel, and appropriate food storage should be considered.

Problemas de aludes

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Likely
    Tamaño
    1–2

    Above-freezing temperatures and sunny skies will make natural and human-triggered wet avalanches likely on steep slopes. The potential exists for wet slab avalanche activity below 8500’ that could fail on the 3/13 crust buried up 14” deep. The majority of these avalanches will be on the smaller side, yet some could grow large enough to bury or injure a person on large sunny terrain features. These avalanches are most likely to begin around rocks or trees and can entrain large amounts of snow as they move downhill. Temperatures barely dipped below freezing overnight above 9500 feet. Any thin surface crusts that formed overnight will break down quickly as the day warms, leading to unstable conditions on sunny and lower-elevation slopes. Look for signs of warming, such as natural wet avalanches or slushy unconsolidated snow. Consider moving to shaded terrain or exiting the mountains if these signs are present. Carefully evaluate the terrain above you today given the potential for natural activity.

    (3/8/2025)

    Loose snow avalanches similar to these will become likely on steep, rocky, and sunny slopes as the day warms.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    1–2

    Wind slabs formed over the past weekend in the Tetons by strong westerly winds and new snow at upper elevations. Warming temps and a lack of overnight freezing in many locations could increase the sensitivity of these older slabs during the heat of the day. These slabs could fail at the old storm interface buried on 3/13 and be up to 3 feet deep on very steep  (>35°), wind-loaded slopes at upper elevations. Persistent weak grains buried in some wind-loaded locations could make avalanches break larger than expected. Likely trigger spots include convex starting zones, cross-loaded couloirs, and steep terrain below cliff bands. Carefully evaluate steep, upper-elevation terrain for signs of unstable wind-drifted snow, such as cracking or hollow-sounding snow. Consider moving to lower-angle terrain if these signs are present or if snow surfaces become wet.

    Cornices are sensitive right now with these warm temperatures. Minimize time spent on slopes with large cornices looming overhead. They can break unexpectedly and act as very large triggers.

    (3/25/2025)

    A large natural wind slab yesterday that was most likely cornice-triggered.

    Old wind slabs will have increased sensitivity during peak warming, increasing the likelihood of natural and human triggering.

Avalanche Discussion

It’s springtime! And the snowpack does not like rapid changes like long periods of above-freezing temperatures. Very warm temperatures produced two notable avalanches on solar aspects yesterday. Both of these were likely old wind slabs, possibly sitting on persistent weak grains, that became more sensitive to triggering with substantial warming. Cornice failure most likely triggered the avalanche on Albright, also induced by warming. Expect more of this type of activity today, with continued widespread shedding in the form of both wet and dry avalanches triggered by the sun and heat. At upper elevations, these avalanches could break deeper than you expect, down to old crusts and older storm interfaces.

A few key points:

  • Start your day early but remember that without much of an overnight freeze, avalanche activity could begin much earlier than you expect.
  • The most dangerous terrain will be east through south through west aspects below 9000 feet.
  • Monitor snow surfaces for increasing moisture. If you step out of your skis and sink to your boot top in wet snow, enact your exit strategy.
  • Wet avalanches are hard to predict but can easily grow very large and entrain much more snow than you’d expect.

Also, please remember that closed ski areas are now uncontrolled and could have the same avalanche problems as the backcountry. Warm temperatures and sunshine can create the same wet problems even on previously groomed and heavily compacted slopes. Keep this in mind if skinning up or skiing on very steep ski area runs.

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